Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Headin East & Back
Whew! We have been gone 10 days and it was a whirlwind!! After a quick visit with Ed Maggart in Asheville, we headed to the New River Rendezvous for fun, friends, and climbing. It was our fourth festival at the New and we were grateful to get to participate. The weather varied from gorgeous to wet, and we got to see tons of friends and did some climbing. We particularly had a blast with our hosts, Jay and Wendy. Note Phil's grandparents' couch which which was a popular feature at the hospitality tent where Wendy slaved away most of the weekend! Then Phil headed to Falling Creek to spend the week training their mountaineering staff and I headed to Ohio and Kentucky for an MK sales trip.
I logged a ton of miles on my rental Prius, which managed to get nearly 50 miles a gallon- very entertaining when on a road trip solo! I saw a large portion of the Shuler family as I made my way south, then we headed to Highlands to relax for Memorial Day weekend with Joel, Rachel, and Phil's parents.
It was intoxicating to see so much green! I finally got to wear flip flops, but still enjoyed cool evenings. We found that the humidity was quite a bear when trying to keep up with Joel & Rachel on some trails in Panthertown Valley. I thought all of our climbing and boarding at altitude would make us bionic-- not so.
The week went by quickly, and we are happy to be back in our own beds with the dogs. Jasmine particularly enjoyed the king sized bed at the kennel and now has it on her wish list. Thankfully, we ran into some friends headed back to Jackson in the Charlotte airport and were spared a night in the Denver airport by getting re-routed to Idaho Falls. It seems people rarely get all the way in and out of Jackson without some epic travel tales, but still, we are home and pooped.
All of you that we got to see- we enjoyed it immensely and continue to miss you lots. Those who we didn't see- we hope to soon!!
XOXO
I logged a ton of miles on my rental Prius, which managed to get nearly 50 miles a gallon- very entertaining when on a road trip solo! I saw a large portion of the Shuler family as I made my way south, then we headed to Highlands to relax for Memorial Day weekend with Joel, Rachel, and Phil's parents.
It was intoxicating to see so much green! I finally got to wear flip flops, but still enjoyed cool evenings. We found that the humidity was quite a bear when trying to keep up with Joel & Rachel on some trails in Panthertown Valley. I thought all of our climbing and boarding at altitude would make us bionic-- not so.
The week went by quickly, and we are happy to be back in our own beds with the dogs. Jasmine particularly enjoyed the king sized bed at the kennel and now has it on her wish list. Thankfully, we ran into some friends headed back to Jackson in the Charlotte airport and were spared a night in the Denver airport by getting re-routed to Idaho Falls. It seems people rarely get all the way in and out of Jackson without some epic travel tales, but still, we are home and pooped.
All of you that we got to see- we enjoyed it immensely and continue to miss you lots. Those who we didn't see- we hope to soon!!
XOXO
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Never a Dull Moment- Massacre Rocks
After a day of snowboarding, well, I should say a few hours, then the rest of the day lazing about, we were ready to climb again. Sunday we headed to check out Massacre Rocks, a basalt climbing area near American Falls, Idaho along the banks of the Snake River. We had heard the area was hard to find and Phil had seen pictures of his friend's Outback with a busted oil pan due to the rigors of the off-roading road. So, with several pages of a digital guide printed, we headed west in Earl and hoped for the best.
Earl is fun to drive over Pine Creek Pass, a windy mountain pass just a few miles from our house, but the fun stops when you hit the highway near Idaho Falls. Phil was the unlucky driver on the way there, as there were substantial cross winds when heading north and serious headwinds when headed west. We couldn't go the 75 mile an hour speed limit, and Phil was virtually white-knuckling with the pedal slammed to the floor. Aside from the wind smashing the soft top, and the scary woosh of semis passing, it was a quiet ride!
As we got off the highway and followed the extensive directions, we plunged further and further into Idaho farmland, with the Snake and the highway in the distance. Many of the fields are now sprouting and they make quite a jolt of green against the fields that are still barren and the snow-capped peaks in the distance. As we struggled to determine which cattle gate was our marker for which unmarked dirt road, we remembered that Earl's odometer is inaccurate due to his jacked up wheels. We missed the turn repeatedly and watched the gas tank dwindle at a shocking pace.
We soon met a giggling family or rather large four wheelers, who told us where there were some rocks. Sketchy to follow the directions of non-climbers when the area is a jungle of good rock and choss, but we followed their directions down a dirt road that "Your Jeep will do fine" on. I questioned that recommendation, but they insisted their Subaru could make it on the two track. Amidst scrub brush and sand, we headed out. What at first was a giggly road with wild turns and dips, soon became a very deep pit. We decided to turn around, but soon couldn't because the road was too deep and perilous. Finally, we found a spot to turn around and got out to try to calm down. The dogs were panting like we were in the middle of the dessert and we felt disoriented as to what on earth we were doing!
Just as we were about to throw in the towel and head for gas, we saw climbing anchors. We parked the Jeep and started climbing, despite having no idea where we were. The climbing is short, steep and fun. Occasional screaming 4 wheelers went giggling by us and we never saw another climber. On our last route of the day, two fierce red-tailed hawks repeatedly threatened to gauge Phil's eyes out. We were a bit close to their nests and they must have had babies. Three times Phil lowered from the third bolt for fear he was getting attacked. Finally, we bailed, cursing what we were sure was a 30 pound winged demon. (Wikipedia tells me they weigh 3 pounds, but I don't believe it for a second.) Long story short, we did make it to the gas station and all the way home. I had the wind in the right direction, and enjoyed a much better drive home.
What an adventure!
Earl is fun to drive over Pine Creek Pass, a windy mountain pass just a few miles from our house, but the fun stops when you hit the highway near Idaho Falls. Phil was the unlucky driver on the way there, as there were substantial cross winds when heading north and serious headwinds when headed west. We couldn't go the 75 mile an hour speed limit, and Phil was virtually white-knuckling with the pedal slammed to the floor. Aside from the wind smashing the soft top, and the scary woosh of semis passing, it was a quiet ride!
As we got off the highway and followed the extensive directions, we plunged further and further into Idaho farmland, with the Snake and the highway in the distance. Many of the fields are now sprouting and they make quite a jolt of green against the fields that are still barren and the snow-capped peaks in the distance. As we struggled to determine which cattle gate was our marker for which unmarked dirt road, we remembered that Earl's odometer is inaccurate due to his jacked up wheels. We missed the turn repeatedly and watched the gas tank dwindle at a shocking pace.
We soon met a giggling family or rather large four wheelers, who told us where there were some rocks. Sketchy to follow the directions of non-climbers when the area is a jungle of good rock and choss, but we followed their directions down a dirt road that "Your Jeep will do fine" on. I questioned that recommendation, but they insisted their Subaru could make it on the two track. Amidst scrub brush and sand, we headed out. What at first was a giggly road with wild turns and dips, soon became a very deep pit. We decided to turn around, but soon couldn't because the road was too deep and perilous. Finally, we found a spot to turn around and got out to try to calm down. The dogs were panting like we were in the middle of the dessert and we felt disoriented as to what on earth we were doing!
Just as we were about to throw in the towel and head for gas, we saw climbing anchors. We parked the Jeep and started climbing, despite having no idea where we were. The climbing is short, steep and fun. Occasional screaming 4 wheelers went giggling by us and we never saw another climber. On our last route of the day, two fierce red-tailed hawks repeatedly threatened to gauge Phil's eyes out. We were a bit close to their nests and they must have had babies. Three times Phil lowered from the third bolt for fear he was getting attacked. Finally, we bailed, cursing what we were sure was a 30 pound winged demon. (Wikipedia tells me they weigh 3 pounds, but I don't believe it for a second.) Long story short, we did make it to the gas station and all the way home. I had the wind in the right direction, and enjoyed a much better drive home.
What an adventure!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
May Snowboarding
As I finished work yesterday, Phil suddenly wanted to go snowboarding. It had hailed outside my window during the day, and we presumed that Teton Pass would have gotten a fair amount of snow. I must confess, I had a hard time mustering up excitement to go snowboarding. I mean, it is May, right? I had visions of unwinding from the work week on the couch with a frosty beverage. Instead, we left the house at 6:00PM to hike to the top of Mount Glory, a snowy hike gaining 1600 vertical feet from the top of Teton Pass. I was particularly unenthusiastic when we drove to the top and found it to be cold, blustery and considering snowing.
But, once we started hiking, I quickly enjoyed how easy it is to relax when pushing yourself physically outside. To our east, we could see sun hitting the Jackson area. to our left/ west, we could see nasty swirling clouds in Teton Valley (Idaho.) Still, we plodded on and I wondered if I has sufficient know how to use the avalanche equipment I was carrying. We stopped a bit shy of our destination, as conditions were quickly deteriorating and moving towards a white out situation. We cautiously made our way down on our boards and back to the car. Once we realized it was not going to turn into an epically bad situation, we agreed that it was a lot of fun and got home by 8:00pm. Right now, it doesn't get dark until after 9:00. We checked the Teton Pass webcam once we got home, and saw that the road that had been dry on our way up, was now covered in snow, ice, and 2 wheel drive vehicles in peril.
It dumped snow when we got home and our freshly green yard turned freshly white. My hopes of wearing flip flops once again dashed by this Rockies weather! We slept in this morning and for once did not head rockclimbing. The sun came out and we decided to head to Glory again. Today, it was a completely different story. It was clear and beautiful, with fresh snow and long distance views of Jackson Hole, Teton Valley, and The Grand Teton. I must admit, even though it is May, it was fun to once again pull on my snow pants, my goggles, my helmet, and carve some fresh turns. We brought Daisy too and she loved it. She ran endlessly through the snow with what seemed like a big smile. I think she will sleep for the next 24 hours! In fact, Phil is now asleep on the couch too!
But, once we started hiking, I quickly enjoyed how easy it is to relax when pushing yourself physically outside. To our east, we could see sun hitting the Jackson area. to our left/ west, we could see nasty swirling clouds in Teton Valley (Idaho.) Still, we plodded on and I wondered if I has sufficient know how to use the avalanche equipment I was carrying. We stopped a bit shy of our destination, as conditions were quickly deteriorating and moving towards a white out situation. We cautiously made our way down on our boards and back to the car. Once we realized it was not going to turn into an epically bad situation, we agreed that it was a lot of fun and got home by 8:00pm. Right now, it doesn't get dark until after 9:00. We checked the Teton Pass webcam once we got home, and saw that the road that had been dry on our way up, was now covered in snow, ice, and 2 wheel drive vehicles in peril.
It dumped snow when we got home and our freshly green yard turned freshly white. My hopes of wearing flip flops once again dashed by this Rockies weather! We slept in this morning and for once did not head rockclimbing. The sun came out and we decided to head to Glory again. Today, it was a completely different story. It was clear and beautiful, with fresh snow and long distance views of Jackson Hole, Teton Valley, and The Grand Teton. I must admit, even though it is May, it was fun to once again pull on my snow pants, my goggles, my helmet, and carve some fresh turns. We brought Daisy too and she loved it. She ran endlessly through the snow with what seemed like a big smile. I think she will sleep for the next 24 hours! In fact, Phil is now asleep on the couch too!
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